Watford have been in discussions with former loanee Craig Cathcart about a return to Vicarage Road but we understand a deal is unlikely to be concluded imminently as the club are looking at other options.

Cathcart played 12 times for the Golden Boys under Malky Mackay during a loan spell in 2009 before it was ended prematurely, with the club claiming it was due to a knee injury.

The 25-year-old joined Blackpool the following summer, soon after their promotion to the Premier League, for a reported £350,000 and has remained there since, making 117 appearances during his four-year stay.

Cathcart, who has 18 Northern Ireland caps, is out of contract this summer and has held talks with the Hornets but we understand the Golden Boys are looking at other centre halves and are unlikely to rush through the signing of Cathcart as they assess the market.

If the former Manchester United defender has a medical with the club, it will show he has an enlarged heart which has to be monitored regularly and resulted in him missing the first leg of Blackpool's Championship play-off semi-final first leg in 2012 as a precaution.

Cathcart is a centre half who is comfortable on the ball and can also play at right back.

Watford have already signed one centre half this summer in former West Bromwich Albion and Doncaster Rovers man Gabriel Tamas and are keen to add at least one more, with Fitz Hall, Lucas Neill, Nyron Nosworthy and Marco Cassetti all leaving this summer.

The Golden Boys were keen to strengthen across the pitch ahead of a season when the club's hierarchy expect to challenge for automatic promotion.

Former Brazil international Heurelho Gomes has replaced Manuel Almunia as the club's number one, experienced Romanian centre half Tamas has already signed and Leicester City's impressive winger Lloyd Dyer completes the trio of free transfers.

Watford continue to hold advanced talks with holding midfielder Daniel Tozser and are also considering other options for the position, although we understand interest in Columbian Alexander Mejia has cooled.

The Hornets want Jeff Hendrick but Derby County would be reluctant sellers. The Hertfordshire club have also considered moves for several other players including Stevenage's Luke Freeman and Cardiff City's Don Cowie.

The club are still hopeful Matej Vydra will be rejoining the club and have considered moves for Sunderland striker Danny Graham and Udinese's Odion Ighalo, although the future of Troy Deeney is likely to influence which other strikers - along with Vydra - are pursued.